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Observations from the Cowboys' first training camp practice (already an injury concern)
ByBrandon George / Reporter
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
6:32 PM on Thu., Jul. 28, 2011 | Permalink
OBSERVATION DECK
Here's a few quick items from what I saw from the first day of practice Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio:
• Safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah injured his left leg on one of the last plays of 11-on-11 practice. Owusu-Ansah fell to the field at the 40-yard line just after TE Martellus Bennett caught a pass in the middle of the field. Owusu-Ansah had to be helped to the sideline, appearing to favor his left ankle, but did walk to the locker room. The Cowboys are already thin at safety and losing Owusu-Ansah this early in camp wouldn't help the cause. Owusu-Ansah missed a lot of time last season with an ankle injury.
• Quarterback Tony Romo was sharp with his passes coming off such a long layoff following a left collarbone injury. Romo showed great accuracy and his time was on for the most part. His arm motion showed no problems relating to the injury.
• First-round draft pick OT Tyron Smith signed his contract early Thursday and then was taken to school by linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's best pass rusher. It was a rough first day for the 20-year-old Smith. He played at left tackle and was beat several times by Ware. He also had two false starts. After it was over, Smith said there's perhaps no better way to learn on the job than to go head-to-head with Ware. Ware also said that he plans to help Smith out as much as he can and build a relationship with the youngster.
• Undrafted free agent signee Raymond Radway, the wide receiver from Abilene Christian, was impressive in his first chance to showcase his speed in front of coaches. He made a diving catch along the sideline on a deep pass that was the play of the day and showed great speed on another catch. Texas Tech WR Lyle Leong, also an undrafted free agent, was solid in his first practice and stayed around afterward to catch more passes from a machine.
• WR Teddy Williams, on the other hand, struggled. He dropped several passes and never looked confident in his route running. He continues to be a project for the Cowboys and if he doesn't start holding onto passes won't be around much longer.
• Undrafted free agent signee Dan Bailey, the kicker from Oklahoma State who was the nation's best in 2010, was impressive in his first practice. He made all five of his field-goal attempts, with his 35-yarder bouncing off the left upright. Meanwhile, starting kicker David Buehler missed a 35-yard attempt.
• LB Brandon Williams from Texas Tech and Fort Worth had a good practice. He put pressure on the quarterback a few times and seemed fast off the ball. NT Josh Brent had a nice pass rush up the middle, forcing the quarterback to scramble on one play.
• Dez Bryant looks like a starting WR in this league. He was sharp on opening day, catching all passes his way and showing the speed and athleticism that excites Cowboys' coaches. Meanwhile, Miles Austin had a nice catch along the right sideline on a deep pass to end practice but didn't have any other highlights
ByBrandon George / Reporter
bgeorge@dallasnews.com | Bio
6:32 PM on Thu., Jul. 28, 2011 | Permalink
OBSERVATION DECK
Here's a few quick items from what I saw from the first day of practice Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio:
• Safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah injured his left leg on one of the last plays of 11-on-11 practice. Owusu-Ansah fell to the field at the 40-yard line just after TE Martellus Bennett caught a pass in the middle of the field. Owusu-Ansah had to be helped to the sideline, appearing to favor his left ankle, but did walk to the locker room. The Cowboys are already thin at safety and losing Owusu-Ansah this early in camp wouldn't help the cause. Owusu-Ansah missed a lot of time last season with an ankle injury.
• Quarterback Tony Romo was sharp with his passes coming off such a long layoff following a left collarbone injury. Romo showed great accuracy and his time was on for the most part. His arm motion showed no problems relating to the injury.
• First-round draft pick OT Tyron Smith signed his contract early Thursday and then was taken to school by linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's best pass rusher. It was a rough first day for the 20-year-old Smith. He played at left tackle and was beat several times by Ware. He also had two false starts. After it was over, Smith said there's perhaps no better way to learn on the job than to go head-to-head with Ware. Ware also said that he plans to help Smith out as much as he can and build a relationship with the youngster.
• Undrafted free agent signee Raymond Radway, the wide receiver from Abilene Christian, was impressive in his first chance to showcase his speed in front of coaches. He made a diving catch along the sideline on a deep pass that was the play of the day and showed great speed on another catch. Texas Tech WR Lyle Leong, also an undrafted free agent, was solid in his first practice and stayed around afterward to catch more passes from a machine.
• WR Teddy Williams, on the other hand, struggled. He dropped several passes and never looked confident in his route running. He continues to be a project for the Cowboys and if he doesn't start holding onto passes won't be around much longer.
• Undrafted free agent signee Dan Bailey, the kicker from Oklahoma State who was the nation's best in 2010, was impressive in his first practice. He made all five of his field-goal attempts, with his 35-yarder bouncing off the left upright. Meanwhile, starting kicker David Buehler missed a 35-yard attempt.
• LB Brandon Williams from Texas Tech and Fort Worth had a good practice. He put pressure on the quarterback a few times and seemed fast off the ball. NT Josh Brent had a nice pass rush up the middle, forcing the quarterback to scramble on one play.
• Dez Bryant looks like a starting WR in this league. He was sharp on opening day, catching all passes his way and showing the speed and athleticism that excites Cowboys' coaches. Meanwhile, Miles Austin had a nice catch along the right sideline on a deep pass to end practice but didn't have any other highlights
